PREVIOUSLY - CAMPAIGN DIARIES 36 - NEW DAY FOR AN OLD MANOR

03 Merpenoth- Day 96 - Sir Isteval's Townhome

Having seen a man killed at the gates of Daggerford, seeing the assassin Sherlen Miller arrest one of her own militiamen for the crime, being escorted by Curran Corvalin, welcomed by Smithfield - Sir Isteval's butler, meeting Jekk the Dwarf who is part of a missing artifact owned by The Duke of Daggerford, and having dinner that evening with the priest Curran at the Lady Luck Tavern. The League's first hours in Daggerford are not uneventful. They have two issues they could pursue, the strange killing by the militiaman Grengel of an innocent man at the gates, or finding the artifact owned by Duke Maldwyn Daggerford, lost shortly after an artisan, Alven Gissen made a copy for Jekk, there has been much to sleep on.

They decide to dig deeper into why the militiaman Streppen Grendel would kill himself, or kill an innocent man in the first place, and start with Filarion at the training grounds with a squad of green militia recruits. They ask and a recruit points out the surly looking fellow...

Morning - Daggerford - The Training Fields

"That one was soft, soft as a girl." he starts.

"What?" says Nowhere and Seraphina simultaneously. "That one wouldn't put an arrow in an orc if it was pillaging his wife, if you know what I mean? Let alone skewer a towney. The men liked him though, go figure. I even heard he had a girl, although why she would be with him I can't imagine. Probably payin' for the company - heard she was a good looker too. Maybe I'll head over to the Silver Flood Inn and comfort her! HA!"

Out of Filarion's site, Atlas flips up his cloak of gender disguise, gaining manly features. "Can't trust those women though, am I right?"

Filarion looks a bit confused now. "You're not here about those treasure seekers, are you?"

"No, why" asks Nowhere.

"The Harpshield expedition - I ran some dumb adventurers up to Ruins of Harpshield Castle about a month ago. Stupid treasure seekers, they pay me to prepare them, and I give them some advice and sit back here safe and sound and get a cut. Imbeciles. 'Don't die', how's that for advice? HA! They said they found some old map to a vault in the ruins that The Kingdom of Man left behind, whatever that is. The fools said they were fighting gricks. I get a cut to tell them 'look up and keep your sword out'. They said they saw some orcs too, but all they kept talking was 'tactics'. They probably 'tactic'd' themselves to death. HA!"

The League looks on incredulously, K'ronk and Atlas biting their tongues.

Atlas removes her cloak of gender disguise "becoming" a girl again, right in front of Filarion and he steps back for a moment, putting his hand on his sword.

"You are a bothersome creature." she says.

He taps his sword. "If you want a little swordplay, we can go at it." and they stare down each other a bit. Then Filarion breaks eye contact. "I have no time for this nonsense" he says, and he turns back to his squad of trainees.

K'ronk casts an illusion spell and makes the word "Loser" appear above Filarion's head.

The nearby troops start laughing and pointing. One woman in particularly yells out "That's hysterical!"

Filarion is confused and stomps away.

As they pass by the militia to head out from the drill field, some of the militia congratulate The League and nod. The woman in particular says "That was great. He's such an ass."

The League draws closer and Atlas says "Good day young militia!"

One asks "Just curious, what was your business with Filarion? He didn't leave happy!"

K'ronk says "We're the Owlbear League, and we were asking about Grengel. Did you know him?"

Morning - Daggerford - The Shanties

Atlas asks "Does he seem like the type of guy who would have killed someone out of fear?"

"Never" she replies. "He wasn't the bravest, but he wouldn't have harmed a soul. He wanted to be in the militia to help protect people."

"Ashleen!" he squad calls, and she says "I've gotta go."

"Thank you for your time." K'ronk says as she runs off.

K'ronk tells The League. "It has to have been someone magically influencing him. We need to find this Natyssa."

The others agree, and start walking back towards town, pondering their next steps, when they are distracted by a ruckus in the street by the shantytown near the training fields. Heading that way, they see a squad of militia rousting people from their houses, and apparently searching their homes. The Duke can be seen by a fine carriage, ordering the Daggerford militia to roust the homes in Shantytown, and to look for The Bloke.

The poor residents of this part of town are obviously upset, and a dark-haired woman, a bit younger than the duke, but dressed in finery can be seen consoling some of the crowd. It must be Lady Morwyn Daggerford, The Duke's sister. She can be heard telling The Duke, "Maldwyn, all this pain for just a little stone?"

"Wait!" K'ronk calls, and The Duke graces him with another moment. "We have great magics, and the ability to even leave this plane of existence."

The Duke shakes his head, turns and continues with the militia rooting out some of the poor homes in this ward.

Atlas says "We need to catch Natyssa, let's go."

Dain quietly says "This guy is rock-head. Can I throw a rock at him?"

Orryn says "Not if you don't want to be locked up."

K'ronk calls out one final time. "Keep calm Duke Maldwyn, leaders do not seek war."

The Duke turns to The League, obviously angry. "How dare you tell me how to run my city. You stick to your vagabond adventuring, and I will continue to manage the safety and civility of Daggerford. I have raised this city to greatness, and don't need the opinion of strangers. If you are unsatisfied at the state of affairs here, I can have you removed from the city!"

The Duke's sister, Lady Morwyn nods at you with understanding, and in a controlled voice only The League can hear, says "Your efforts are appreciated, but he is beyond reason."

With that, The League departs for the Silver Flood Inn, where they believe they may find Natyssa, the woman who was recently involved with Grengel.

Late Morning - Daggerford - The Silver Flood Inn

The man takes the gold and says "Oh, yes, she usually spends time here with Alven Gissen or that Grengel fellow. She's a beautiful woman, but that is sort of what those sorts are selling, right? We haven't spoke much, I guess not much time to chit-chat if you are not a paying customer, but I understand she is staying at The Lizard's Gizzard."

"Anything you can tell us about her?" Atlas continues.

"Only that she has been spending time with those two men, Alven and Grengel. He seemed like a nice fellow, tragedy at the gate and with him I guess. Ganfar continues.

"Have either Alven or Grengel seemed 'off' to you in any way?" Atlas asks.

Ganfar replies, "I really couldn't say. Grengel seemed friendly enough, tipped well. Maybe had a bit too interest in the courtesans, I've seen him with her several times, but maybe not recently. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Alven recently either. Conner, did Alven stay in the Inn last night?"

As Conner hurries by with some food for a table he quickly says "No, but he might have been out with the dark-haired girl again."

Atlas turns to small talk. "Your inn is very nice."

"Thank you much! The Inn was built during a silver boom many years ago, but we have kept the theme when we bought it from the previous owners."

"Has Sir Isteval been a patron of yours?" Atlas asks.

"I don't believe that Sir Isteval frequents any taverns." Ganfar says.

Dain his done his drinking, and The League heads over to The Lizard's Gizzard.

Afternoon - Daggerford - The Lizard's Gizzard

Atlas says "We're The Owlbear League" as they get a closer look at the woman who might be beautiful to some, but seems stern-faced. She is well-dressed and perfumed with fine bronze jewelry, and she has two different colored eyes, one brown one blue.

"Mind if we join you?" K'ronk asks.

"You're disrupting my day." she replies. "What do you want?"

Atlas says "We were wondering if you know anything about Grengel?"

"Oh Grengel!" she says "I can't believe he would shoot anyone, he was always so gentle." She pulls out a handkerchief and dabs the corner of her eye. "So sad he took his own life, but perhaps he is in a better place."

"What do you know about him?" Atlas asks.

"He really didn't talk about himself that much, the quiet type, so I can't say I really knew him very well."

Atlas says "That's not the information we have been given, it's said that you spent a LOT of time with Grengel."

Natyssa replies matter-of-factly that "Spending a lot of time together doesn't have to equate to talking, if you know what I mean. Grengel was just a quiet mercenary."

Nowhere adds "We understand he was a very pleasant fellow until he started spending time with you."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean!" Natyssa professes.

Atlas continues "His fellow militia says he didn't treat them the same after meeting you."

Natyssa replies. "I can't speak to what Grengel felt or didn't feel, or how he treated others. It's none of my concern."

Dain wanders over. "You were pretty close to him, shouldn't you know something?"

K'ronk adds, "We need answers."

Natyssa adds "We were close as in, we had business together, I don't know what else you expect."

Nowhere says "What kind of business?"

Natyssa looks at her unkindly and says "That's none of your business."

Orryn says "Just to be clear, courtesan business?"

Natyssa replies coldly "Certainly. We shared some food, we shared some music, we shared some dancing, he was a simple man of simple tastes."

Atlas interjects "You are going to tell us everything you know about Grengel, or we will spread the word you have sewer crabs."

Natyssa is taken aback and stutters. "Why I never!"

K'ronk considers casting charm person, knowing that it would be a crime back in Waterdeep to magically influence a commoner.

Natyssa composes herself "I don't have time for this, I have to prepare to meet Alven for dinner tonight." and she gets up to leave.

Nowhere asks "Does it surprise you he killed himself?"

She replies "It never surprises me what anyone does."

Dain wanders over and sort of blocks her way. "I don't believe Grengel killed himself."

Natyssa is startled again, adding "What are you suggesting?"

A bit drunkenly, Dain just says "I'm suggesting that you had something to do with this, and you're not telling us."

"Dain!" Nowhere shouts.

"I think this conversation is over, I am going to my room" Natyssa states emphatically, and pushes past the tipsy dwarf, storming off.

While she is storming away, K'ronk casts detect magic and just as Natyssa turns the corner at the stop at the stairs, he sees the unmistakable glow of magic coming from her entire person.

K'ronk adds "She had magic on her."

Nowhere asks, "Immeral, can you go into the ethereal realm and see what she is up to?"

He does so, pulling his cloak of stars upon his head, he disappears from this place and is suddenly in the ethereal plane, the gray mirror-universe of our own. He moves through the tables and chairs and his companions, and moves to the second floor, looking for Natyssa. He passes through various patrons and doors looking for her room, but he cannot find her. After a few minutes, just to be sure, he removes the cloak and teleports to where his friends are. "She's gone!"

Seraphina says "I can find her jewelry." She casts locate object, and she senses the direction of the jewelry Natyssa was wearing, and she points in a direction outside of The Lizard's Gizzard. "She's outside and moving!"

The League jumps to their feet and races for the doorway, much to the interest of the patrons in the inn.

Seraphina takes the lead, pushing through the crowd, heading towards the front gates. Immeral sends Syldan to fly overhead, but the hawk familiar of Immeral does not see the woman with dark hair. He tells them, and they grow concerned she is invisible, and they agree to try to chase her down, and hurry their pace even more.

As The League closes the perceived distance to the jewelry, they notice a tall thin man wearing green clothing and a brown feathered cap hurrying out of the gates, past the militia keeping most of the crowds out. "The spell only lasts 10 minutes." Seraphina calls out, breathing heavily.

The man continues into the caravan grounds, and The League races through the checkpoint, having spent about 5 minutes in pursuit already, and now they start running, not wanting to break sight of the man who dodges through the various carriages on the grounds. He at one point turns back and notices the party and starts running, but is now only 100 feet ahead of The League, and he starts running for the woods.

"If he gets to the woods, follow me, I know I can catch him!" Nowhere calls out.

Right before entering the woods, the man stops running, turns and disappears!

FLASHBACK - Immeral - The Ethereal Plane

Late Afternoon - Daggerford - Morninglow Tower

"Do you know where we can find him?" Atlas asks.

"He usually stays at the Silver Flood Tavern, but I can't say. He did not show up for work today." Sunbright shares.

"Does he often do that?" Nowhere asks.

"Lately since meeting some girl named Natyssa he keeps talking about. Sinful behavior! I assume you are looking for that Bloke that he lost and has Duke Maldwyn up-in-arms?"

"Somewhat." Orryn says. "We just came from the Silver Flood and he is not there, hasn't been seen since yesterday. It seems strange that both Alven and Grengel, the militiaman who took his own life last night, were both seeing this Natyssa.

"By the gods." Sunbright replies.

"It seems like more than a suicide." Orryn continues.

"You don't say?" Luc answers inquisitively. "You think the killing at the gate and the disappearance of The Bloke are related?"

"We do. We recently had a short conversation with Natyssa, and she disappeared on us - magically."

"It seems that you have clearly uncovered something strange, talking to The Duke might be wise." the priest says. "It never made sense to me that a tradesman like Alven would be involved with the theft of an old statue when he has a good-paying job in employment of the church."

Atlas asks "Do you think we could see Lady Morwyn instead?"

Luc replies, "It is possible that she would grant you an audience at the Ducal palace, but what do you think she would be able to do."

Atlas answers "We think she would be a calmer voice to bring news to the Duke."

Nowhere says "She is not so hung up on the damn stone, she might have a broader perspective."

Sunbright says "That sounds wise."

"Thank you and have a good day." Atlas says

"May Amaunator deliver you answers." Sunbright replies.

"If you are ever in Waterdeep, visit us at the old Trollskull Tavern." Orryn adds.

"I am not a drinker, but thank you." he replies.

Orryn takes the lead to convey their knowledge of Grengel, Alven, the mysterious Natyssa, and their belief she has used magic to influence Grengel and perhaps steal The Bloke, and her likely kidnapping of Immeral.

Morwyn is thoughtful, and states "This is all very interesting. I will have to discuss this with our advisor, the wizard Delfen."

Orryn asks "Is he nearby?"

Morwyn answers "Yes, he resides in his tower by the northern gate."

"Can we speak to him?" Orryn asks. "He might have some guidance on how we can find our friend."

"He is a bit of a recluse, but should be in his tower." I do not have any authority to arrange an audience, but you may tell Delfen that I believe he should hear your story." She continues, "This news is incredibly disturbing, I thank you all for bringing it forward, you are obviously a group of find character." Her eyes linger a moment on K'ronk. Dain burps.

"You're also wise not going directly to my brother, he is too obsessed with The Bloke right now to deal with this rationally. I shall have to find a way or a time to bring this information to him without an explosion."

The League comes to realize that Morwyn is intelligent and thoughtful, obviously more capable than her station as the Duke's sister.

"There is another crisis nearby that could add even more stress to Maldwyn's plate." she says.

"What is going on?" Orryn asks.

"There are disturbing reports from the town of Julkoun, just up the Delimbyr River. Goods have stopped coming downriver, and Hadesha is putting pressure on The Duke to send a squad of militia to investigate. Apparently all the messenger pigeons arrived here late yesterday, with no messages attached. An ominous sign. The Duke unfortunately is too obsessed with The Bloke, and keeping strangers outside the city, to send any of his militia away."

"What can we do?" Atlas asks.

"If you were to find out or even maybe resolve whatever their problem is, I can try to find out more information on this Natyssa. Perhaps even engage Delfen." she replies.

"We really need our full team to do that, would you be able to influence Delfen to assist us in finding our friend?"

"I will send word to him you are coming if you give me an hour." she says. "Where can I find you if need be?"

"We are staying at Sir Isteval's until we leave for Julkoun." Orryn says.

"Very well, thank you all again, and keep me apprised with any new information." and with that, she departs.

"What about locate object?" says Seraphina.

"Obviously you are not without resources and knowledge, and although it would work in the ethereal plane, locate object may not reach as far as you need. You need a greater divination, scrying perhaps. Then there is the matter of this Natyssa, who is obviously employing significant magics, charm perhaps."

Orryn add "and transformation magic."

"Yes, yes, quite disturbing." Delfen nods, thinking. "It will be challenging to get all of us into the ethereal plane and locate your friend and potentially fight off this adversary. This is a powerful being you are dealing with, and the greatest question of all, what are they doing in Daggerford remains unclear." He continues, "I can travel into the ethereal plane myself, but only myself, but that might not be wise, until we know our enemy. I will do some research, I may be able to ascertain what we are up against, but need a couple of days." In the meantime, perhaps you can tend to Lady Morwyn's other problem."

The Owlbear League nods and Atlas says "Good morrow." and they depart for Sir Isteval's home to prepare for the journey to Julkoun.

What troubles have befallen Julkoun? Where is Immeral gone to, and how will The League find him? What greater plot was this powerful being they call Natyssa a part of?

NEXT - Campaign Journal 38 - Worg Riders of Julkoun